Electrochemical deposition of mineralized BSA/collagen coating

Behavior of Calcium Phosphate-Chitosan-Collagen Composite Coating on AISI 304 for Orthopedic Applications

Calcium phosphate/chitosan/collagen composite coating on AISI 304 stainless steel was investigated. Coatings were realized by galvanic coupling that occurs without an external power supply because it begins with the coupling between two metals with different standard electrochemical potentials. The process consists of the co-deposition of the three components with the calcium phosphate crystals incorporated into the polymeric composite of chitosan and collagen. Physical-chemical characterizations of the samples were executed to evaluate morphology and chemical composition. Morphological analyses have shown that the surface of the stainless steel is covered by the deposit, which has a very rough surface. XRD, Raman, and FTIR characterizations highlighted the presence of both calcium phosphate compounds and polymers. The coatings undergo a profound variation after aging in simulated body fluid, both in terms of composition and structure. The tests, carried out in simulated body fluid to scrutinize the corrosion resistance, have shown the protective behavior of the coating. In particular, the corrosion potential moved toward higher values with respect to uncoated steel, while the corrosion current density decreased. This good behavior was further confirmed by the very low quantification of the metal ions (practically absent) released in simulated body fluid during aging. Cytotoxicity tests using a pre-osteoblasts MC3T3-E1 cell line were also performed that attest the biocompatibility of the coating.

Construction of a mineralized collagen nerve conduit for peripheral nerve injury repair

A new nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) named MC@Col containing Type I collagen (Col) and mineralized collagen (MC) was developed, enhancing mechanical and degradation behavior. The physicochemical properties, the mechanical properties and in vitro degradation behavior were all evaluated. The adhesion and proliferation of Schwann cells (SCs) were observed. In the in vivo experiment, MC@Col NGC and other conduits including Col, chitosan (CST) and polycaprolactone (PCL) conduit were implanted to repair a 10-mm-long Sprague-Dawley rat's sciatic nerve defect. Histological analyses, morphological analyses, electrophysiological analyses and further gait analyses were all evaluated after implantation in 12 weeks. The strength and degradation performance of the MC@Col NGC were improved by the addition of MC in comparison with pure Col NGC. In vitro cytocompatibility evaluation revealed that the SCs had good viability, attachment and proliferation in the MC@Col. In in vivo results, the regenerative outcomes of MC@Col NGC were close to those by an autologous nerve graft in some respects, but superior to those by Col, CST and PCL conduits. The MC@Col NGC exhibited good mechanical performance as well as biocompatibility to bridge nerve gap and guide nerve regeneration, thus showing great promising potential as a new type of conduit in clinical applications.

Electrophoretic deposition of polymers and proteins for biomedical applications

This review is focused on new electrophoretic deposition (EPD) mechanisms for deposition biomacromolecules, such as biopolymers, proteins and enzymes. Among the rich literature sources of EPD of biopolymers, proteins and enzymes for biomedical applications we selected papers describing new fundamental deposition mechanisms. Such deposition mechanisms are of critical importance for further development of EPD method and its emerging biomedical applications. Our goal is to emphasize innovative ideas which have enriched colloid and interface science of EPD during recent years. We describe various mechanisms of cathodic and anodic EPD of charged biopolymers. Special attention is focused on in-situ chemical modification of biopolymers and crosslinking techniques. Recent innovations in the development of natural and biocompatible charged surfactants and film forming agents are outlined. Among the important advances in this area are the applications of bile acids and salts for EPD of neutral polymers. Such innovations allowed for the successful EPD of various electrically neutral functional polymers for biomedical applications. Particularly important are biosurfactant-polymer interactions, which facilitate dissolution, dispersion, charging, electrophoretic transport and deposit formation. Recent advances in EPD mechanisms addressed the problem of EPD of proteins and enzymes related to their charge reversal at the electrode surface. Conceptually new methods are described, which are based on the use of biopolymer complexes with metal ions, proteins, enzymes and other biomolecules. This review describes new developments in co-deposition of biomacromolecules and future trends in the development of new EPD mechanisms and strategies for biomedical applications.

Corrosion Behavior and In Vitro Cytotoxicity of Ni-Ti and Stainless Steel Arch Wires Exposed to Lysozyme, Ovalbumin, and Bovine Serum Albumin

In this study, the tendency and mechanisms by which protein and mechanical loads contribute to corrosion were determined by exposing Ni-Ti and stainless steel arch wires under varying mechanical loads to artificial saliva containing different types of protein (lysozyme, ovalbumin, and bovine serum albumin). The corrosion behavior and in vitro cytotoxicity results show that exposure to both protein and mechanical stress significantly decreased the corrosion resistance of stainless steel and increased the release of toxic corrosion products. Adding protein inhibited the corrosion of Ni-Ti, but the mechanical loads counteracted this effect. Even proteins containing the same types of amino acids had different effects on the corrosion resistance of the same alloy. The effect of protein or stress, or their combination, should be considered in the application of metal medical materials.

Ascidian-Inspired Heparin-Mimetic Magnetic Nanoparticles with Potential for Application in Hemodialysis as Recycling Anticoagulants

In the present study, heparin-mimetic magnetic nanoparticles (HMNPs), which might be used as recycling anticoagulants, were synthesized by coating heparin-mimetic sodium alginate (HLSA) on the surface of iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), using 3,4,5-trihydroxyphenylalanine (TOPA) as a biological adhesive. HLSA was successfully immobilized on the MNP surface, as revealed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermal gravimetric analysis, and the core (MNP)-shell (TOPA, HLSA) structure was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy observations. In addition, in vitro studies of protein adsorption, blood clotting time, and contact activation confirmed that the blood compatibility of the HMNP was significantly enhanced compared with the bare MNP. The improved hemocompatibility was attributed to the introduction of the multiple heparin-mimetic groups (-SO₃Na, -COONa, and -OH). In addition, the HMNP showed outstanding recycle stability and, thus, can be reused if needed. The synthesized HMNP appeared to be a suitable biomaterial to safely replace heparin as an anticoagulant in patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis.

The Significance and Utilisation of Biomimetic and Bioinspired Strategies in the Field of Biomedical Material Engineering: The Case of Calcium Phosphat-Protein Template Constructs

This review provides a summary of recent research on biomimetic and bioinspired strategies applied in the field of biomedical material engineering and focusing particularly on calcium phosphate-protein template constructs inspired by biomineralisation. A description of and discussion on the biomineralisation process is followed by a general summary of the application of the biomimetic and bioinspired strategies in the fields of biomedical material engineering and regenerative medicine. Particular attention is devoted to the description of individual peptides and proteins that serve as templates for the biomimetic mineralisation of calcium phosphate. Moreover, the review also presents a description of smart devices including delivery systems and constructs with specific functions. The paper concludes with a summary of and discussion on potential future developments in this field.

Electrical Potential Specified Release of BSA/Hep/Polypyrrole Composite Film and Its Cellular Responses

A facile strategy is needed for accurate time-space supply of suitable growth factors or drugs. Polypyrrole (PPy) was able to carry almost all kinds of negatively charged biomolecules through anodizing method, which made it an appropriate way for codeposition of multiple molecules. The difference in the conjugation between different molecules and PPy makes it possible for selective release when the redox state of PPy changes. In this work, bovine serum albumin (BSA) and heparin (Hep) were chosen to be the model molecules in view of their differences in the level of electronegativity and molecular weight. Double-layer deposition method was used to improve the biocompatibility of PPy/BSA/Hep film. It was found the content of BSA and Hep in the film can be controlled by regulating deposition current and time. BSA release was facilitated under positive voltage and then promote the proliferation of preosteoblasts, while Hep release was promoted under negative voltage and enhance cell differentiation. Our work provides a dual-molecule model in PPy for selective release and further explores the mechanism of release selectivity, this discovery has potential applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.